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SRN Midlands

@srnmidlands.bsky.social
77 followers 109 following 35 posts

We are a collective of PGRs from the Midlands who are researching complex and emotionally demanding topics across the social sciences. ↳ www.srnmidlands.com @mgsesrcdtp.bsky.social research network 📝Blog: blog.srnmidlands.com

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SRN Midlands @srnmidlands.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Check out the latest blog post by Daisy who explores the distinction between empathy and sympathy and considers how this difference can influence researchers when engaging with participants who have experienced trauma, exploitation, or harm. blog.srnmidlands.com/askew-2026
blog.srnmidlands.com
Feeling With, or Feeling For? Understanding Empathy in Research
Image by: Melissa Hogan
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Marita Hennessy @maritahennessy.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Do patients and the public understand and feel engaged and valued after reading outcome set study invitations? A UK qualitative study Heather Barrington, Rebecca Craven, Paula Williamson, Bridget Young bmjopen.bmj.com/content/16/8...
bmjopen.bmj.com
Do patients and the public understand and feel engaged and valued after reading outcome set study invitations? A UK qualitative study
Background The use of core outcome sets (COSs) in health research is widely recommended. COSs are developed with input from key decision makers, patients being a vital group to ensure COS relevance. H...
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SRN Midlands @srnmidlands.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Read our most recent blog post by one of our co-leads Jessica Crosbie and Dr Juliet Coates. The post provides an overview of the nervous system, its role in emotionally demanding research, and how we can use this information to protect our wellbeing. blog.srnmidlands.com/crosbie-coat...
blog.srnmidlands.com
The role of the Nervous System for Emotionally Demanding Research
The role of the Nervous System for Emotionally Demanding Research
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Research in Practice @researchip.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Social work is an emotionally demanding, complex profession. Exposure to abuse, neglect, and trauma at work can affect home life. Explore research findings around the experiences of social workers who are mothers in a new blog for #MaternalMentalHealthAwarenessWeek. ow.ly/z4Kf50YVr3N
ow.ly
Risks, rewards and supporting social workers who are mothers
Child protection social work is emotionally demanding, ethically complex, and deeply relational work. Exposure to abuse, neglect, and trauma at work often affected home life. Dr Shaista Afzal shares findings from her doctoral research around the experiences of social workers who are mothers across England.
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SRN Midlands @srnmidlands.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Abbie Lake @ ARU is running her second series of the Researcher Wellbeing Webinars Recognising and Responding to Trauma and Burnout in Sensitive and Emotionally Challenging Research 17 Thursday 14th May 2026 12:00-13:00 Online (Teams) www.linkedin.com/posts/abbie-...
linkedin.com
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams | Abbie Lake
It's a real honour that so many of the people I cross paths with are doing vital work to address some of society's most pressing and devastating issues. But that work can take a toll - and that's norm...
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The Psychologist @psychmag.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Protecting yourself from secondary trauma. Chartered Psychologist Dr Ravi Gill argues that caring professionals must also be cared for, ahead of a @bpsofficial.bsky.social webinar. www.bps.org.uk/event/protec...
bps.org.uk
Protecting yourself from secondary trauma | BPS
This is a practical, evidence-based online workshop equipping health professionals with the knowledge and tools to recognise, prevent and protect themselves from secondary trauma.
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Hayley Redman @hayleyredman.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
If you're a PGR or ECR at the University of Exeter working on Emotionally Demanding Health Research and would like to meet with others working on similar research, we have been supported by a Researcher Led Initiatives Award to host a series of meetings between now and summer - sign up below
eventbrite.co.uk
Emotionally Demand Health Research: PGR/ECR Network
Open to all Exeter PGRs and ECRs working on health related research, the network offers an informal space for peer support and learning.
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SRN Midlands @srnmidlands.bsky.social · 07/03/2026
The annual #MGSconf is back! This time at @uniofnottingham.bsky.social Submit your abstract by the 27th March tinyurl.com/mgsconferenc...
tinyurl.com
MGS Conference 2026
Paths to Progress: Inclusion, Innovation, and Possibilities
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IRIS @irisbirmingham.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
This article, @oliviapetie.bsky.social says, draws on two case studies to explore how concepts of #hospitality, home, and unhome can be useful in understanding the use of hotel accommodation for #asylumseekers in the UK & the experiences of those living there doi.org/10.1386/hosp...
doi.org
Exploring hospitality, hostility and (un)home in hotel accommodation for asylum seekers in the United Kingdom | Intellect
The number of asylum seekers housed in hotels in the United Kingdom on behalf of the Home Office is unprecedented and requires specific attention. Utilizing hotels on such a large scale as longer-term...
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Adam Chen @ahgchen.bsky.social · 25/12/2025
My first paper got published! A protocol paper for an adapted rapid realist review to explore how national-level policies in England address the impact of social determinants on self-harm and suicidal thoughts and behaviours (STB) across the whole population. doi.org/10.1136/bmjo...
doi.org
A protocol for a rapid realist policy review (RRPR) of the impact of social determinants on self-harm and suicidal thoughts and behaviours in England
Introduction Self-harm and suicidal thoughts and behaviours are a significant public health concern. While individual risk factors have been widely studied, the role of social determinants in shaping ...
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SRN Midlands @srnmidlands.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
This event is co-led by @ahgchen.bsky.social and @madeleineingham.bsky.social and is supported by the Midlands Graduate School ESRC DTP Doctoral Events Grant.
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SRN Midlands @srnmidlands.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
Our research day is open to PGRs and ECRs across the @mgsesrcdtp.bsky.social institutions, hosted at the University of Birmingham We are extremely grateful and excited to hear and learn from our invited speakers: Dr Amy Burrell, Dr Sarah Rockowitz, Dr Laura Stevens and Dr Katharina Karcher.
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SRN Midlands @srnmidlands.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
We are excited to announce our Research Day! This research day is aimed at PGRs and ECRs looking to gain insights and practical tools for navigating emotionally demanding and sensitive research areas. To find out more and register, visit: www.srnmidlands.com/research-day
SRN Midlands Research Day on Emotionally Demanding Research
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SRN Midlands @srnmidlands.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
🌐 Explore more: 🔗 Website: srnmidlands.com 📝 Blog: blog.srnmidlands.com 🦋 Bluesky: srnmidlands.bsky.social Whether you're just starting your PhD or deep into your research journey, we'd love to welcome you into the network. Visit our website to join!
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SRN Midlands @srnmidlands.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
🎯 Our goal? To foster a supportive community through peer learning, shared experiences, and open dialogue. While we’re not a formal support network, we aim to support each other in meaningful ways.
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SRN Midlands @srnmidlands.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
🛠 What have we been up to? 📚 Curated a resource list 🗣 Posted a joint commentary on an article on Best practices for supporting researchers’ mental health in EDR 🧠 Arranged a workshop on EDR led by Dr Georgia Bird at the MGS ESRC DTP Conference ✉ A mailing list & chat to connect researchers together
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SRN Midlands @srnmidlands.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
💬 What’s it all about? We host monthly hybrid meetings (usually at the University of Birmingham), where members shape the agenda. Discussions range from challenges faced in our research to useful readings and shared insights, all in a welcoming, informal setting.
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SRN Midlands @srnmidlands.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
Are you a PhD student in the Midlands conducting sensitive or emotionally demanding research? 💭 Who are we? A peer-led research network for PhD researchers across the Midlands who are navigating complex, emotionally demanding research (EDR). We are a @mgsesrcdtp.bsky.social student network!
A peer-led research network for PhDs conducting emotionally demanding research.
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Liza Mügge @lizamugge.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
🔎✒️ How can we keep research teams and ourselves safe when studying politically sensitive topics? @britanlar.bsky.social and I present a new framework for protection and support drawing on feminist care ethics. The report is now available on the @men4dem.bsky.social website 👇
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Midlands Mental Health Translational Research Centre @mhm-tc.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
In support of this great work the Empowering Community Action to Prevent Youth Suicide event takes place 17/10/25 18:30–20:30. Open to young people, parents, carers, charities, suicide prevention services, local authorities, community leaders, and researchers. www.birmingham.ac.uk/events/stron...
birmingham.ac.uk
Stronger together: Empowering community action to prevent youth suicide - University of Birmingham
Raising awareness of help-seeking in youth facing self-harm or suicidal thoughts, and the barriers they encounter when accessing support.
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SRN Midlands @srnmidlands.bsky.social · 30/08/2025
💡Did you know @thesprintproject.bsky.social have created downloadable infographics which are condensed versions of their report! Find more here: 🔗 www.sprintproject.org/guidelines
The SPRINT project guidelines for researchers
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Birmingham Network for Phenomenology and Mental Health @uobphenomenal.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
Our event is only a week away! Please do register if you haven’t done so already!
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SRN Midlands @srnmidlands.bsky.social · 04/08/2025
We're open to further ideas on what would benefit PhDs and ECRs the most! So do get into contact with us if you're interested in helping out.
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SRN Midlands @srnmidlands.bsky.social · 04/08/2025
We're looking to set up a research day for PhDs and ECRs to navigate emotionally demanding research and reflexive practice. If you're interested in helping run a session / know people who may be interested, please contact us! It will be in person at the University of Birmingham
PhD and ECR day

We’re looking for:

Researchers or professionals who would be interested in helping facilitate a reflexive practice writing session
Researchers or professionals who would be interested  in providing guides and resources on researcher wellbeing
Reflective accounts from researchers who have conducted EDR

If you are interested in working with us to run a session please contact Adam. a.chen@pgr.bham.ac.uk
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CREST @crest-research.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
Doing research on tough topics? Missed our seminar? You’re not alone. Check out our first NABS+ seminar readout on navigating emotionally demanding work, including memory impacts and practical strategies for self-care and supervision here: crestresearch.ac.uk/nabs/early-c...
crestresearch.ac.uk
Doing Emotionally Demanding Research: A Dual Perspective of Supervisor and Researcher
Explore the personal and professional challenges of emotionally demanding research, and discover practical strategies to support researcher wellbeing from both practitioner and researcher…
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Scottish Institute for Policing Research @the-sipr.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
📅 31 Oct | 📍 Abertay Uni, Dundee Join us for a SIPR workshop on Working with Emotionally Demanding Material. We’ll explore sensitive research, share strategies for self-care, and connect with others in the field. 🎟️ bit.ly/4m22njn #SIPR #ResearchWellbeing
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SRN Midlands @srnmidlands.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
💡 Did you know the SRN Midlands has a blog? It’s more than just updates; it’s a shared space where we reflect on the personal and professional sides of academic life through stories, commentaries, and reflections. It’s a space for open dialogue and thoughtful engagement. blog.srnmidlands.com
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SRN Midlands @srnmidlands.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
🔐 Members can access it here: members.srnmidlands.com (login required) This is just one of the ways we’re building a supportive, peer-led space for PhD students across the Midlands.
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SRN Midlands @srnmidlands.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
📚 Did you know we have a Resource List? 🧠 Suggested by our members, the list includes: Methodological & ethical training materials Reflective articles on EDR Wellbeing resources to support your research journey 🎧 From articles and guides to podcasts — there's something for every stage of your PhD.
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The SPRINT Project @thesprintproject.bsky.social · 23/06/2025
Access our free guidelines and resources for supporting researcher's mental health here www.sprintproject.org/guidelines Thank you to all who attended today's workshop and to those who have participated in our survey. You can still take part via the link above!
sprintproject.org
Guidelines | The Sprint Project
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SRN Midlands @srnmidlands.bsky.social · 23/06/2025
Great to see @thesprintproject.bsky.social responding to survey responses and creating additional guidance!
New wellbeing plan developed!
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CREST @crest-research.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
🗓️ Date for your diary! NABS+ Early Career Researcher (ECR) Seminar, 'Doing Emotionally Demanding Research - A dual perspective of supervisor and researcher', Thurs 3 July, 11:00-12:00 (via Teams) with Dr Juliane Kloess and Dr Amy Burrell. Details at crestresearch.ac.uk/nabs/opportu...
crestresearch.ac.uk
Opportunities
Check out the latest opportunities from the NABS+ community.
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SRN Midlands @srnmidlands.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
🖊🖊 New Blog post! A Step Towards a Framework for Supporting Researchers in Emotionally Demanding Research A short commentary on the recent article published by Quinton et al. and the guidelines! blog.srnmidlands.com#h.1mdk12v2uyhu
blog.srnmidlands.com
Blog
Welcome to the SRN Midlands blog page! The SRN Blog is a space for our members to post their thoughts, ideas and news
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SRN Midlands @srnmidlands.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
We're very happy to have @georgiabird.bsky.social run a workshop at the @mgsconference25.bsky.social This workshop explores best practices for supporting researchers' mental health in emotionally demanding research.
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Susie S @sless.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
Upcoming seminar on researcher wellbeing - of interest to folk working in sensitive or emotionally demanding/challenging research (or those managing the environments in which this work is done!) www.eventbrite.com.au/e/researcher...
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SRN Midlands @srnmidlands.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
We've been working behind the scenes to create our blog page: blog.srnmidlands.com You can find blog posts from our members, from commentaries to reflections!
blog.srnmidlands.com
Blog
Welcome to our blog page! The SRN Blog is maintained and managed by our members. This is a space for our members to post their thoughts, ideas and news.
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Dr Mary Quinton @maryquinton.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
Are you involved in emotionally demanding research in academic or non-academic research contexts? We'd love to hear what you think about the feasibility of our *new* guidelines to support researcher mental health! Please share with anyone who you think may be interested!
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The SPRINT Project @thesprintproject.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
🧠 New Guidelines to Safeguard Researchers' Mental Health ✨ View the guidelines: www.sprintproject.org/guidelines Help us evaluate their usefulness & feasibility 📋 Take part in a survey: app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/bham/feasi... Let’s build a more psychologically safe research culture for all!
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Jo Edson Ferrie @joedsonferrie.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
@sharongreenwood.bsky.social And i have this paper out today, building on our work on emotionally demanding research we think about how, pedagogically, we make space to practice vulnerability and why we should www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
tandfonline.com
Making space for positionality stories in higher education: using embodied feminist and critical pedagogies in practice
To reimagine criticality in higher education, we emphasise positionality in pedagogy. As educators, we argue there is value in critically engaging with who ‘we’ are, and why exposing our positional...
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SRN Midlands @srnmidlands.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
@SRNMidlands members! Want to present your current work and increase impact? Go present at the @mgsconference25.bsky.social!
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SRN Midlands @srnmidlands.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
Thank you! It's definitely a relevant paper for us, have shared among our group already :))
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Susie S @sless.bsky.social · 05/09/2023
For those working in (or supervising) emotionally demanding research / aka sensitive or challenging research - we wrote this hoping someone might find it useful...even just to know there are others in the same boat and we're trying to get the oars going! www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/oa-...
taylorfrancis.com
Supporting Emotionally Demanding Research | 6 | Developing Guidance fo
Conducting research that is emotionally demanding can negatively impact the health and wellbeing of researchers if adequate planning and support are not in
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SRN Midlands @srnmidlands.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
One of our members, Henna Chumber is pushing to transform stigma in mental health services tackling fundamental issues that shroud mental health services by addressing systemic barriers and promoting culturally sensitive practices.
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SRN Midlands @srnmidlands.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
Definitely a paper to read if you're embarking on emotionally demanding research doi.org/10.1080/1748...
doi.org
Best practices for supporting researchers’ mental health in emotionally demanding research across academic and non-academic contexts
Researcher mental health in emotionally demanding research (EDR) has been recognized as important, but research to date has often been limited to academic research contexts, qualitative research, o...
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Dr Mary Quinton @maryquinton.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
Really happy to see this paper published today! We identified best practices to promote researchers' mental health in emotionally demanding research. Thank you to all involved in this project, especially the participants for their invaluable expertise! 🔗 Read the paper here: doi.org/10.1080/1748...
sprintproject.org
Researchers’ mental health in emotionally demanding research warrants immediate attention: new paper outlines best practices
Introduction As the spotlight on researchers' mental health grows, especially for those immersed in emotionally demanding research (EDR), the need for robust support strategies becomes more evident.  ...
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SRN Midlands @srnmidlands.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
A great opportunity for students to present their work! Submissions include poster presentations, flash talks or longer 15/20 minute talks!
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American Ethnological Society // American Ethnologist (journal) @amethno.bsky.social · 17/02/2025
*️⃣*️⃣*️⃣ AE FORUM (52.1): I Was Wrong *️⃣*️⃣*️⃣ A Vicarious Scar: Secondary trauma and ethnographic care in fieldwork by Erin Routon @erinrouton.bsky.social #anthrosky Find it here: ⬇️ americanethnologist.org/journal/issu...
ABSTRACT: Difficult challenges are an unavoidable aspect of doing ethnographic fieldwork in sensitive spaces or on sensitive subjects. A less commonly discussed problem, however, is the impact that vicarious or secondary traumas can have on researchers. Here, I discuss my experience of secondary trauma in conducting research with legal advocates in family-detention facilities in the US. Even in work in which trauma is centered, I show, the traumatic “wounds” of fieldwork can go unidentified, to the researcher's own detriment. I echo calls for our discipline to better recognize how ethnographers experience trauma, which results in part from continued disciplinary norms, and to reconsider our work as care. Additionally, I call for further attention to the more complex psycho/somatic traumas that can result from field research.
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Behavioural Research UK (BR-UK) @behaviourresuk.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
Join our next webinar to learn how address the ethical & practical challenges related to open science & sharing of qualitative data. We'll discuss real-world dilemmas, new frameworks & methodological approaches to handling sensitive data. Register at: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
A blue slide with the text Open Science in Qualitative Research. Speakers: Professor Rebecca Campbell, Michigan State University. Dr Sharon Cox (University College London), Dr Sebastian Karcher (Syracuse University) and Professor Alex Stevens (University of Sheffield). And the BR-UK logo.
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Adam Chen @ahgchen.bsky.social · 15/02/2025
Potentially interested in running a seminar for PGRs and ECRs on conducting emotionally demanding research with @srnmidlands.bsky.social. Brainstorming what would be most useful for us 🤔🤔
media.tenor.com
a cartoon of winnie the pooh with his eyes closed and a red shirt
ALT: a cartoon of winnie the pooh with his eyes closed and a red shirt
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